A WOMAN who helped counsel bereaved families and survivors of the Selby rail crash today said she hoped the first anniversary of the tragedy would mark a new beginning.

Sue Nelson, of Railtrack, played a pivotal role in helping the families come to terms with the disaster, particularly during the trial of motorist Gary Hart.

He was jailed at Leeds Crown Court in December for ten counts of causing death by dangerous driving after his Land Rover left the M62 at Great Heck and was hit by a GNER express train which then collided with an oncoming freight train.

Speaking as people gathered at Great Heck, a year after the rail disaster, Ms Nelson said it had been a privilege to get to know those who had been touched by the tragedy.

She said the anniversary ceremony, which included a silent tribute at 6.15am - the time the two trains collided - and a service in the newly-constructed memorial garden, had been designed to fulfil their wishes.

"After the crash, the families were given liaison officers. We were helping with the community, which was obviously deeply affected by what had happened," she said.

"As time went on, we got to know the families well, particularly during the crown court trial. As a result of that we started to talk to them about the anniversary. We consulted with everyone who was bereaved, injured or had been on the train as well as with the families of the two freight drivers.

"Today is a culmination of what they wanted. This is their day. You can never assume you know how people feel in this situation, because you don't. But we have felt their pain. We have been with the families through their high points, and their low points. It has been a quite humbling experience. They have opened up to us and that has been a privilege. Hopefully, today will mean a new beginning for everyone."

Meanwhile, as memorial stones to mark the anniversary were unveiled in the garden, designer Trevor Smith said he was proud to have been associated with the project. Mr Smith, who runs his own landscaping company at Holtby, near York, said: "The aim was to create something with a sense of place. The whole project took around three to four months to complete.

"Certain things had to be included according to the wishes of the families.

"These included benches. We also planted winter heather after a request from Mary Dunn. The planting was designed with a particular emphasis on February, because of the anniversary. But there will be flowers and plants growing all year long."

Updated: 13:57 Thursday, February 28, 2002